Improved device for tapping boots and shoes



UNITED STATES GURDON OONKLING, '.)F OONKLINGSVILLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGrNOR`l TO OARO- PATENT OFFICE.

LINE A. OONKLING, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPPtOvi-:D DEVICE FOR TAPPlNG BOOTS AND 'sl-lOES.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 113,8 I4, dated August 9, 1864.

A and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Device for Tapping Boots and Shoes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a i'ull, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in whichl Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a detached plan or top view of the sole-plate. Fig. 3 is a plan or top view of the invention.

Similar letters of reference in the three views indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in the employment or use of a sole-plate, made of metal or other suitable material, and provided with a projecting toe-Bange, in combination with a piece of board cut out according to the outlines of a last, and with a Wedge, in such a manner that by means of said last-shaped board and Wedge the sole-plate can iirmly be secured on the inside of a boot or shoe, and a new halt'- sole can be put on without the necessity ot' having a full last corresponding to the boot or shoe to be soled, and so that any person, particularly soldiers in the iield, will be enabled to provide themselves with the neces. sary means for the purpose of tapping their.

' at least for three diii'erent sizes-viz., the size for which it is made and one size larger and one smaller. It is provided with a V-shaped toe-ange, a, which serves as a bearing for the points ot' the piece of board B and ot' the Wed ge O. The piece of board is cut out'of an ordinary plank of the thickness of one inch (more or less) or of any other convenient piece of wood somewhatin the shape of a last, with a iiat inclined surface, b, which forms tl.e bearing for the wedge O.

' The operation is as follows: rIhe sole plate A is placedl into the boot or shoe to be soleil. and by means of the last-shaped piece B a1 d wedge C it is pressed down firmly, so that it affords a iirm support, and the half-sole can be attached to the boot or shoe by means of nails or pegs in the usual manner.

It' the half-sole is to be attached with nails, the sole-plate'ought to be made ot' east iron or other suitable metal, so that the nails on being driven in will clinch themselves.

If wooden pegs are to be used, the sole-plate may be made of hard wood or any other suitable material. I prefer to use castiron, however, not only for the sake of causing the-nailsl to clinch themselves, but also because ysaj'd plates can be made in the easiest and cheapest manner when they aie cast. The wedge .C and the lastshaped piece B can be cut out ot any piece of wood, and a person being provided With the soleplate, nails, and hammer will thus be able to tap his own boots or shoes GURDON OONKLI NG.

Witnesses D. ROBERTSON, HENRY MORRIS. 

